Exotics cuddly, cute and creepy get new owners in amnesty program

(Robin Bijlani/University…)

October 23, 2012|By Linda Trischitta, Sun Sentinel

It wasn't quite an ark full, but 38 exotic creatures that normally dwell on other continents, and lately lived in South Florida air conditioning, found new homes after state officials held an amnesty event in Davie.

All of the animals were adopted during Saturday's event, said Liz Barraco, amnesty adoption coordinator for the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. They included:

•The cutest: A Kinkajou and a Coatimundi, whose owner drove up from Key West to surrender her pets that need a lot of attention and are of type that were never before seen by the FWC's program.

•Soon to be famous: An African Pygmy hedgehog named Merlin, turned in by a woman whose illness did not leave her with enough energy after work to play with her nocturnal pet (hedgehogs are so trainable they will use a litterbox). Merlin's new career is as a FWC outreach education model.

•The most loved: An African Grey parrot, "a really nice bird," Barraco said, and a macaw, whose owner took excellent care of the birds but faces foreclosure and could not afford them anymore.

•The most needy: A Sulcata tortoise, a native of Africa, whose poor diet left its shell bumpy and deformed. It will get attention from its new owner, Miami-Dade County firefighter Jeff Fobb.

•The newest teacher: A Kenyan Sand boa, that may be part of a future display at the Miami Science Museum.

•Free for a minute: A Savannah Monitor lizard that was likely a released or escaped pet and was trapped earlier this month in Coral Springs.

The latest group of surrendered pets join more than 600 wild animals already turned in to authorities this year, no questions asked.

Adopters are pre-qualified, Barraco said, and in most cases, an animal gets a new home unless it is too sick.

Of more than 500 non-native species observed in Florida, 130 are so well adjusted to our environment that they reproduce here. Some reptiles like pythons are considered pests and threats and have become targets of licensed hunters who obtain special permits.